Dental visits should be about promoting oral health not harm, but dental malpractice is a real problem affecting thousands of patients every year. You may wonder how to identify malpractice and what can you do about it. Let’s find out more about it below.
Common Types of Dental Malpractice
Dental malpractice can take many forms and can have big effects on patients. Knowing these common types of negligence is the first step in protecting yourself and others from bad care.
Overhanging Fillings
Overhanging fillings are a common type of malpractice in conservative dentistry and endodontics. These fillings are placed outside the tooth and irritate the gum. They cause inflammation, lead to decay and make it hard to clean. These mistakes affect both dental health and overall well-being.
Not Diagnosing Oral Cancer
Early detection of oral cancer is vital, and dentists have a big role to play in identifying signs during checkups. Not recognizing or referring patients with suspicious lesions can mean delayed diagnosis, poor treatment, and patient distress.
Poor Infection Control
Sterilization and hygiene standards are paramount in the dental world. Not following proper infection control means severe infections, longer recovery periods, and serious systemic health problems.
How to Identify Dental Malpractice
Identifying dental malpractice requires awareness and attention to detail. Persistent, severe, or prolonged pain after a procedure represents subpar care and needs to be looked into. Complications like nerve damage, excessive bleeding, or infections that won’t respond to standard treatment are outside of normal risks and represent malpractice.
Not providing clear information about the procedure, risks, and alternatives is also a breach of professional duty, as dentists must explain options to patients so they can make an informed decision.
Actions to Take When Suspecting Dental Malpractice
If you think you are a victim of dental malpractice, take swift and decisive action to protect yourself and your legal rights. Here are the steps to follow.
- Get a second opinion: An independent review matters a lot to validate the complaints and malpractice. See another dentist to have the treatment reviewed objectively. This will highlight the flaws and what to do to fix things.
- Maintain proper documentation: Documentation is vital to making a strong case and holding someone accountable. Records of dental appointments, treatments, and all communication will be used as evidence for legal action. Besides being evidence, this record-keeping will also help maintain transparency in the investigation process.
- Use legal help: Filing a dental malpractice claim requires legal expertise because of the medical and legal complexity. An experienced attorney reviews the records and consults with experts to see if the dental care met professional standards. They will guide you through the process, prove negligence and calculate damages such as medical bills, lost wages and emotional distress. Skilled legal experts can also help you get fair treatment, strengthen your case against the defense and get you what you deserve.
Endnote
Dental malpractice is a breach of professional duty, and patients and dentists must be aware of the need to spot, address, and prevent malpractice. By knowing the signs, taking action, and ensuring patient-centric care, we can raise the standards of dental care and protect patient’s rights.